ABSTRACT

This is the first book to analyze how the technology to alter images and rapidly distribute them can be used for propaganda and to support deception operations.

In the past, propagandists and those seeking to conduct deception operations used crude methods to alter images of real people, events and objects, which could usually be detected relatively easily. Today, however, computers allow propagandists to create any imaginable image, still or moving, with appropriate accompanying audio. Furthermore, it is becoming extremely difficult to detect that an image has been manipulated, and the Internet, television and global media make it possible to disseminate altered images around the world almost instantaneously. Given that the United States is the sole superpower, few, if any, adversaries will attempt to fight the US military conventionally on the battlefield. Therefore, adversaries will use propaganda and deception, especially altered images, in an attempt to level the battlefield or to win a war against the United States without even having to fight militarily.

Propaganda and Information Warfare in the 21st Century will be of great interest to students of information war, propaganda, public diplomacy and security studies in general.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

chapter |18 pages

The Lying Eye

Photography, propaganda and deception

chapter |8 pages

Altered Images

Here, there and everywhere

chapter |20 pages

Psychological Operations

Hearts and minds and eyes

chapter |18 pages

Psychological Operations

The un-American weapon?

chapter |9 pages

How to Deceive

Principles

chapter |26 pages

How To Deceive

Stratagems

chapter |10 pages

The Best Deceivers

The British in the Second World War

chapter |11 pages

The Easiest Mark

The United States

chapter |16 pages

The Threat

Striking the media culture

chapter |24 pages

Defense

The media culture strikes back

chapter |5 pages

Conclusion